Nau mai, haere mai.

Oxfam International and Development Finance International launched the second version of their Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index. Covering 157 countries, the Index measures governments’ actions in 2017 on social spending, tax and labour rights – three policy areas that are critical to preventing and reducing inequality. This year’s Index sees new indicators on harmful tax practices and women’s rights. New Zealand is ranked 27 out of 157 countries. Amongst high-income OECD peers, New Zealand is ranked at 25 out of 35 countries. New Zealand does reasonably well globally on social spending, ranked at 17, and on labour rights, with a global rank of 25. Yet while satisfactory on social spending, during 2017 New Zealand’s expenditure on education as a share of all social spending decreased. Our taxation regime is also regressive. When compared to all other countries across the world, New Zealand is ranked at 100 for the progressivity of its tax system, compared to one for Australia, and 76 for Kiribati. Our government is taking action, some of which was captured in this year’s Index, some of which will be measured next year. Yet, there is still more work to be done to make New Zealand a society where we all get a fair go.

According to May 2017 research from Roy Morgan, poverty and the gap between rich and poor is the single biggest issue of concern to New Zealander’s at present. New in-depth research exploring the concerns of New Zealanders both in New Zealand and globally found New Zealanders, like Australians, are concerned about war and terrorism on the global front. But at home in the run-up to this year’s election it’s all about the economy especially housing affordability, housing shortages, cost of living, inflation, unemployment and homelessness. (Roy Morgan New Zealand, 3 July 2017)

The Equality Network brings together the groups who are responding to this concern by campaigning to reduce income inequality and create greater well-being and life chances for all. Our profound belief is that in a more equal society, everyone is better off.

Take Action

Public Good is co-sponsoring a Summer Scholar at Victoria University to “Reveal the Royal Commission on Social Policy 1986-88”. The scholar will work on a series of activities and the results will be presented in a set of published resources in late February or March 2019 and at an event that will bring the recommendations … Continue reading Public Good co-sponsoring summer scholar at Victoria University→

Join Oxfam’s Fair Tax Now campaign on transparency as a way to stop multinational tax avoidance. Oxfam are asking the government to make corporations publish country-by-country reports on their key financial information. Act now. Learn more. Be Sociable, Share! Tweet

There is still time for input into the Child Wellbeing Strategy as the process will continue until December. Reducing income/wealth inequality will have a significant effect on child wellbeing. To have your say, refer to https://www.dpmc.govt.nz/our-business-units/child-wellbeing-unit Be Sociable, Share! Tweet

The Welfare Expert Advisory Group is currently seeking feedback, either through a survey on their website www.weag.govt.nz or through attending one of the 12 community forums being held around the country this month. For details refer www.weag.govt.nz/have-your-say/community-forums/ Decent improvements in welfare payments will significantly help reduce income/wealth inequality. Be Sociable, Share! Tweet